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Sondra poured a drink and raised her glass. “Here’s to the possibility, Mr. Hartman. Now get out.”
William stood to go.
“Oh, and William?”
He turned and eyed her quizzically.
“If you ever fucking smile at me again in my dungeon, I’m going to make you wish you hadn’t.”
Four
Addison asked Patrick to meet her at their favorite downtown restaurant. The lighting was soft, and the food amazing, but the best part was the ambiance was neither too loud nor too quiet. She knew she would have her work cut out for her with Patrick, but she was done with words left unspoken, with pretending that everything was okay. It clearly wasn’t. Even though she’d ended it with William, she’d realized that her marriage had been over a long time ago and it was time to get her life together.
Addie had been well-prepared to do what she needed to do up until the second she saw Patrick walk in. He was dressed in his business suit, tie unfastened, and Addie watched as he talked with the maître d’, certain she could almost see the young man in him that she’d met on that college campus years ago. Way back when love was enough and neither of them could foresee any of the issues that would eventually lead to their demise. The only thing worse than losing her gumption in that moment, was the fact that she couldn’t pinpoint just when the demise of their marriage had begun. All she knew was that somehow they had each in their own way equally contributed. That was the thing she found difficult about marriage—it was so individual, so complex.
Patrick spotted her and smiled slightly. He bent down to kiss her on the cheek and then quickly slid into his seat and motioned to their surroundings as if to say, “What’s up?”
Addie inhaled sharply as the waitress finished taking their drink order. She’d originally chosen a glass of the house wine, but Patrick had insisted on ordering their finest champagne. He always had known how to deter her. “So—” she began.
“We’ve always loved this place.”
“Patrick, I need to talk to you, and I need you to listen. And I mean really listen.”
Leaning back in his chair and intertwining his hands behind his head, he smirked. “I’m all ears.”
“I’m going back to the agency on Monday, resuming my position as an account manager. I’ve decided that not only is it time but that it’s in everyone’s best interest.” Addie insisted.
“The hell it is.” He replied sharply.
“Look. I’ve made my decision, and I’m letting you know. How long do you intend to keep this up, Patrick? I think we both know it isn’t working. Our marriage has been over for a long time.”
“Says who?”
“I say.”
“Well, I beg to differ. Tell me you don’t love me anymore, Addie. I dare you to say it. Thing is you can’t, and we both know it.”
So he was going in for the kill. “Of course I do. You’re the father of my children, but that isn’t enough.”
Patrick leaned forward and lowered his voice almost to a whisper. “Who says you get to decide what’s enough?”
“I’m not happy, Patrick. Are you?”
“I’m happy enough. Jesus, Addie, what do you want from me?”
“I want a divorce, Patrick.”
Patrick ran his fingers through his hair. “Well, there’s one I’ve never heard before.”
Addison sat up straight and looked him straight in the eye. “I’m serious, and I’m hoping that we can work together civilly so that it happens as smoothly as possible for the kids.”
Patrick swallowed hard. “That’s bullshit, Addison. You want this to work as smoothly as possible for YOU. You don’t give a fuck about anyone but yourself.”
Addie shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “That’s not true. Deep down you know that, Patrick. I’m sorry you’re angry. I’m sorry you find it necessary to try and blackmail me by threatening to take the boys. But I mean . . . Come on. Is this really how you want it to end? Do you want an all-out showdown? Or can we, please, just settle this like responsible adults? Like responsible parents? Please, Patrick? I’m asking you not to
tie my hands here.”
“Now that’s an expression you know well, isn’t it? You’re used to being the one to tie hands. Guess isn’t so fun when the tables are turned, now is it?”
